Law enforcement agencies in West Virginia are required by state law to report unclaimed stolen property to the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office on a yearly basis. As a holder of unclaimed stolen property, it is the agency’s responsibility to report in accordance with the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.
The Act established procedures for eliminating unnecessary storage in evidence lockers. It also provides opportunities for agencies to gain revenue by selling property at public sale; appropriate items for use within the agency; trade in firearms to acquire needed weapons or ammunition; or donate items to a non-profit organization.

What is unclaimed stolen/abandon property?

Unclaimed stolen/abandoned property is any tangible personal property, including cash and coins, which is confiscated by or otherwise comes into the custody of a law enforcement agency during the course of an investigation or official law enforcement business. The property does not have to be proven stolen to become stolen/abandoned property.

Who must report and remit?

The West Virginia Unclaimed Property Act requires all state, county or municipal law enforcement agencies employing one or more persons to file an unclaimed property report with the State Treasurer’s Office. This includes the Department of Public Safety, sheriff’s departments, city police departments, the Division of Natural Resources and the Airport Authority.

When to file?

Law Enforcement agencies must report prior to September 1.

Property codes and dormancy periods

Type Code Dormancy Period

Type

Code

Dormancy Period

Law enforcement cash

LE01

6 months

Law enforecement tangibles

LE98

6 months

How to file?

Electronic reporting is required for all law enforcement agencies. Reports must be filed using the NAUPA II format.

For monetary unclaimed property remittance, there are three ways to create and submit an electronic file:

Appropriating cash for agency use

Law enforcement agencies may request to keep and use unclaimed money for legitimate and authorized law enforcement or educational purposes. Request must be made using form UP-8A-4. The Treasurer will respond to requests on a case-by-case basis.